Novel multifunctional towel

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a multifunctional towel comprising a towel having an upper portion, a lower portion, a left side and a right side the upper portion having a first attachment means and a waist belt having a second attachment means on at least one portion of the belt for affixing the towel to the belt and a water resistant skirt attached to and depending from the belt wherein the water resistant skirt has a front portion adjacent to the towel portion and a back portion distal to the towel portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to textiles used in cleaning, food preparation and other utility uses. In particular a novel multifunctional towel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Towels and aprons are known in the art. Many industries use towels on a daily basis in their business including for example the restaurant and fast food industry, fishing industry and the automotive maintenance and repair industry. Generally large numbers of towels are stored in an area for easy access by employees. Since there is usually no convenient way of carrying these towels the employee may stuff the towel in his/her back pocket, loop it through a belt or apron string or carry it folded over the arm or in the hand. Unfortunately stuffing a dirty towel in a back pocket may result in soiling the employees' pants or slacks. Carrying a towel looped through a belt or apron string makes fast and easy access more difficult and carrying a towel folded over the arm or in the hand restricts the employees' ability to use both hands.

[0003] Aprons are generally fastened to the waist of the user to protect against soiling of the pants or slacks. While an apron may be used as a towel they are not usually made of a highly absorbent material like a towel and must be unfastened from the waist for use. Unfortunately, once soiled the apron should be replaced with another clean dry apron to avoid soiling the users clothing. Removable front aprons have been described in the art (GB 2,297,022) that provide a ordinary apron having a front portion that may be removed and utilized as a towel or blanket for an infant after bathing. The towel is lined on one side with a waterproof membrane to keep the apron dry during use. However, a towel with only one absorbent side is not as preferred as a towel having interchangeable absorbent sides. Unfortunately, without this waterproof liner on the towel the apron can become soaked with liquid from the towel and be absorbed by the users' pants or slacks.

[0004] Consequently, a towel that may be carried securely and safely without the use of a hand, that may be accessed instantly for immediate use, that once returned to its carrying device will not soil the users pants or slacks and made of material that is absorbent on both sides is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a multifunctional towel comprising a towel having an upper portion, a lower portion, a left side and a right side the upper portion having a first attachment means and a waist belt having a second attachment means on at least one portion of the belt for affixing the towel to the belt and a water resistant skirt attached to and depending from the belt wherein the water resistant skirt has a front portion adjacent to the towel portion and a back portion distal to the towel portion. The towel is preferably made of terry cloth, cotton or linen and the first and second attachment means may be made of VELCRO™.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention the lower portion of the towel comprises at least one pocket of a size able to accept the hand of a user. When the invention comprises at least one pocket the pocket or pockets may be lined with a heat-resistant material. Preferably, the towel comprises two pockets one located in the lower portion left side and the other in the lower portion right side both pockets being a size able to accept the hand of a user.

[0007] In another embodiment of the invention the lower portion of the towel comprises at least one affixing means. Preferably the towel comprises two affixing means, one located in said lower portion left side and the other in said lower portion right side. When the invention comprises an affixing means it may further comprise at least one weight affixed to or that may be affixed to at least one of the affixing means.

[0008] In still another embodiment of the invention the water-resistant skirt is preferably made of nylon and may further comprise a sleeve. The skirt sleeve may further comprise a removable protective insert and a means for securing the protective insert in the skirt sleeve. The protective insert may be made of a puncture and cut resistant flexible polymer that may be utilized as a cutting board. The water-resistant skirt may further comprise at least one pocket of a size able to accept a tool or utensil. One or more of these pockets may further comprise a sheath for a knife.

[0009] In one aspect of the invention kits are provided comprising at least one towel and a waist belt; at least one towel, a waist belt and at least two weights; at least one towel, a waist belt and a protective insert; and at least one towel, a waist belt and at least one sheath for a knife. In addition, a method to prevent soiling clothing about the waist and legs by affixing the multifunctional towel around the waist of a user is provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010]FIG. 1A: Is an illustration of the top of the multifunctional towel of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 1B: Is an illustration of the left side of the multifunctional towel of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 1C: Is an illustration of the front end of the multifunctional towel of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 1D: Is an illustration of the bottom of the multifunctional towel of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 1E: Is an illustration of the right side of the multifunctional towel of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 1F: Is an illustration of the back end of the multifunctional towel of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 1G: Is a perspective view of the combination multifunctional towel of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION DETAILED

[0017] The present invention provides a multifunctional towel 10 comprising a towel 11 having an upper portion, a lower portion, a left side and a right side the upper portion having a first attachment means 12 and a waist belt 13 having a second attachment means 14 on at least one portion of the belt 13 for affixing the towel 11 to the belt 13 and a water resistant skirt 15 attached to and depending from the belt 13 wherein the water resistant skirt 15 has a front portion adjacent to the towel 11 and a back portion distal to the towel 11. The multifunctional towel 10 of the present invention may be made of a variety of materials. Preferably the material is an absorbent material such as for example cotton, linen or hemp. Most preferably the towel 11 is constructed of a cotton terry cloth material. The towel 11 may be a variety of sizes. In particular it is preferable that the towel 11 be of a size that protects the user's waist and legs from soiling while performing tasks with the multifunctional towel 10. Preferably the towel 11 covers from the waist to about midrange between the ankle and the knee. More preferably, the towel 11 covers from the waist to about midrange between the knee and the waist. Most preferably, the towel 11 covers from the waist to about the knee. It is preferable that the towel 11 be able to wrap around the waist such that the sides of the legs and waist are protected while performing tasks with the multifunctional towel 10. The size of the towel 11 may be from about 12 inches to about 48 inches in width and about 12 inches to about 36 inches in length.

[0018] The towel 11 may also have at least one pocket of a size able to accept a hand of a user. The pocket may be located on the front side or backside of the towel 11 and may be in any location and orientation. Preferably there are two pockets located on the backside of the towel 11 adjacent to the water-resistant skirt and located in the bottom portion of the towel 11, one on the left side and one on the right side. The openings to the pockets are preferably near the upper portion of the towel 11. The pockets are preferably oriented at a slight angle such that the bottom of the pockets are closer in proximity than the pocket openings. The pockets may also be lined with a heat resistant material so that they may be effectively used as potholders. While two pockets are preferred such that the towel 11 may be used as a joined two hand potholder, the towel 11 may also be used effectively as a potholder with only a single pocket. More specifically, the user may insert a hand in the pocket to grasp a hot item then grab the other end of the towel 11 forming a sling enabling the item to be carried.

[0019] The towel 11 may also comprise at least one affixing means that may be positioned in any location on the towel 11. Preferably the affixing means is located along the sides of the towel 11 or in the lower portion of the towel 11. Preferably there are two affixing means one in each corner of the lower portion of the towel 11. The affixing means may be constructed of a variety of materials such as metal, cloth or a polymer and is a means that allows the user to hang, attach or insert a balancing weight. The balancing weight may be made of a variety of high-density materials that institutes a downward force on the towel 11 during use to prevent the towel 11 from being lifted by strong currents of air or wind. Such high-density materials include metal or high-density polymers.

[0020] The upper portion of the towel 11 comprises an attachment means 12 that enable the user to attach the towel 11 to the waist belt 13 for ease of carrying. The attachment means 12 may be made of a variety of materials that allow the towel 11 to be secured to and removed from the waist belt 13 quickly and easily. The attachment means 12 is preferably made of Velcro™. The attachment means 12 may be affixed to the towel 11 by a variety of methods preferably the attachment means 12 is sewn or stitched onto the upper portion of the towel 11.

[0021] The waist belt 13 of the multifunctional towel 10 may be made of a variety of belt materials such as for example nylon, plastic, cloth or leather. Preferably the waist belt 13 is made of a durable woven polymer belt material. The waist belt 13 may have a width of about ½ inch to about 2½ inches and may vary in length to fit the waist of the user, in particular, from about 24 inches to about 60 inches. The waist belt 13 may further comprise a buckle or clasp such that the waist belt 13 may be adjusted to fit snugly about the users' waist. The clasp or buckle may be made of a variety of materials including plastic or metal. Preferably the buckle or clasp is made of plastic. The waist belt 13 also comprises an attachment means 12 that allows the user to secure the towel 11 during use. The attachment means 12 may be made of a variety of materials that allow the towel 11 to be secured to and removed from the waist belt 13 quickly and easily. The attachment means 12 is preferably made of Velcro™. The attachment means 12 may be provided in a single strip along the waist belt 13 length or may be provided in two or more smaller strips along the length of the waist belt 13. The attachment means 12 may be affixed to the waist belt 13 by a variety of methods preferably the attachment means 12 is sewn or stitched onto the waist belt 13.

[0022] The waist belt 13 further comprises a water-resistant skirt 15 that is attached to and depends from the waist belt 13. The water-resistant skirt 15 may be attached to the waist belt 13 by a variety of means preferably it is sewn or stitched to the waist belt 13. The skirt 15 may be made of a variety of materials that prevent or resist permeation of fluids through the skirt to the users' clothes. Preferably the water-resistant skirt 15 material is nylon. The water-resistant skirt 15 is preferably larger than the towel 11 and of a size that protects the user's waist and legs from soiling while performing tasks with the multifunctional towel 10. Preferably the skirt 15 covers from the waist to about midrange between the ankle and-the knee. More preferably, the skirt 15 covers from the waist to about midrange between the knee and the waist. Most preferably, the skirt 15 covers from the waist to about the knee. It is preferable that the skirt 15 be able to wrap around the waist such that the sides of the legs and waist are protected while performing tasks with the multifunctional towel 10. The size of the skirt 15 may be from about 16 inches to about 52 inches in width and about 14 inches to about 38 inches in length. In addition, the water-resistant skirt 15 may further comprise a sleeve. The sleeve may be any size equal to or less than the length and width of the skirt 15 itself. The sleeve may be oriented in any direction and may be closed on one end forming a pocket. Preferably the sleeve is oriented so that the open ends are accessible from the sides perpendicular to the waist belt 13. The multifunctional towel 10 may further comprise a protective insert that may be inserted into the water-resistant skirt sleeve. The sleeve may also comprise a means for securing the protective insert in the sleeve. This securing means may be any means that prevents the protective insert from being dislodged from the sleeve during use. It may be made for example of Velcro™ or may be a flap formed with the water-resistant skirt 15. The protective insert may be made of a variety of materials that prevent or resist punctures or cutting. This material is preferably made of a flexible cut resistant polymer. This flexible cut resistant polymer may also be used as a cutting board.

[0023] The water-resistant skirt 15 may further comprise at least one pocket of a size able to accept a tool or utensil. If the user is utilizing the multifunctional towel 10 of the present invention while working on a vehicle the pocket may be used to carry for example a wrench or screw driver. If on the other hand the user is fishing the pocket may be used for example to carry a pair of pliers. If for example the user is grooming a dog the pocket may be used for example to carry a brush, comb or clipping shears and if the user is utilizing the multifunctional towel 10 for cooking the pocket may be used for carrying a spatula, tongs or a knife. If the user intends to carry a knife in the skirt pocket the pocket may further comprise a sheath to prevent damage to the skirt 15 by cutting from the unprotected knife blade. The sheath may be made of any material that would prevent the skirt 15 from being damaged by the knife blade. Preferably the sheath may be made of a lightweight polymer.

[0024] The multifunctional towel 10 of the present invention may be provided in a kit comprising at least one towel 11 and a waist belt 13. More preferably, the kit comprises at least two towels 11 and a waist belt 13. The kits may further comprise at least one weight that may be affixed to the towel 11 having affixing means, a protective insert for a water-resistant skirt 15 containing a sleeve, and at least one sheath for a water-resistant skirt 15 containing at least one pocket.

[0025] The multifunctional towel 10 when worn by the user protects soiling of the clothes while performing any number of tasks including for example, washing and cleaning an automobile, washing and/or grooming an animal, fixing or repairing household items, fixing or preparing food, fishing, fixing or repairing automobiles, fixing or preparing beverages, woodworking and metalworking. 

1. A multifunctional towel comprising: (a) a towel having an upper portion, a lower portion, a left side and a right side said upper portion having a first attachment means and (b) a waist belt having a second attachment means on at least one portion of said belt for affixing said towel to said belt and a water resistant skirt attached to and depending from said belt wherein said water resistant skirt has a front portion adjacent to said towel and a back portion distal to said towel.
 2. A multifunctional towel according to claim 1 wherein said lower portion of said towel comprises at least one pocket said pocket being a size able to accept the hand of a user.
 3. A multifunctional towel according to claim 2 wherein said at least one pocket is lined with a heat-resistant material.
 4. A multifunctional towel according to claim 1 wherein said lower portion of said towel comprises two pockets, one located in said lower portion left side and the other in said lower portion right side said pockets being a size able to accept the hand of a user.
 5. A multifunctional towel according to claim 1 wherein said lower portion of said towel comprises at least one affixing means.
 6. A multifunctional towel according to claim 1 wherein said lower portion of said towel comprises two affixing means, one located in said lower portion left side and the other in said lower portion right side.
 7. A multifunctional towel according to claim 6 wherein at least one weight is affixed to said at least one affixing means.
 8. A multifunctional towel according to claim 1 wherein said towel is made of a material selected from the group consisting of terry cloth, cotton and linen.
 9. A multifunctional towel according to claim 1 wherein said first attachment means and said second attachment means is VELCRO
 10. A multifunctional towel according to claim 1 wherein said water-resistant skirt is made of nylon.
 11. A multifunctional towel according to claim 1 wherein said water-resistant skirt further comprises a sleeve.
 12. A multifunctional towel according to claim 11 wherein said multifunctional towel further comprises a protective insert removably inserted into said skirt sleeve.
 13. A multifunctional towel according to claim 11 wherein said skirt sleeve further comprises a means for securing said protective insert in said skirt sleeve.
 14. A multifunctional towel according to claim 12 wherein said protective insert is made of a puncture and cut resistant flexible polymer.
 15. A multifunctional towel according to claim 12 wherein said protective insert is a cutting board.
 16. A multifunctional towel according to claim 1 wherein said water-resistant skirt comprises at least one pocket said pocket being a size able to accept a tool or utensil.
 17. A multifunctional towel according to claim 16 wherein said at least one pocket further comprises a sheath for a knife.
 18. A kit comprising at least one towel and a waist belt according to claim 1 .
 19. A kit comprising at least one towel and a waist belt according to claim 6 and at least one weight.
 20. A kit comprising at least one towel and a waist belt according to claim 11 and a protective insert.
 21. A kit comprising at least one towel and a waist belt according to claim 17 and at least one sheath for a knife.
 22. A method to prevent soiling clothing about the waist and legs by affixing said multifunctional towel according to claim 1 around the waist of a user. 